Southtowns Record

EC 10.15.26 DRAFT

Government
Town of West Seneca
Board
Environmental Commission
Meeting
Oct 15, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Posted by publisher
Oct 30, 2026
Kind
Minutes
Topics
Roads and traffic, Budget and taxes

Original document

Same meeting

Motions and votes

Copied word for word from these minutes. Who moved and seconded, the tally and the roll call appear only where the minutes state them. Picked out automatically: the minutes themselves are the record. All votes for this government.

  1. Motion by Mr. Wyeth, seconded by Vice Chairperson Szablewski, to approve the Environmental Commission meeting minutes from September 17, 2026. • Ayes: All Noes: None Abstain: None Motion: Passed

    Carried unanimously · Moved by Mr. Wyeth, seconded by Vice Chairperson Szablewski

    Page 1 of the minutes, motion 1

1 routine motion (minutes, bills, agenda, adjournment…)
  1. Motion by Vice Chairperson Szablewski, seconded by Ms. Lakomski, to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 PM. • Ayes: All Noes: None Abstain: None Motion: Passed

    Carried unanimously · Moved by Vice Chairperson Szablewski, seconded by Ms. Lakomski

    Page 3 of the minutes, motion 2

Text · page 3 of 4

Read the whole document on one page (all 4 pages, each with its own heading)

▪  Mr. Wyeth asked why almost all trees inventoried in the ROW are deciduous. Jim’s
  personal opinion was that because conifers add canopy all the way to ground
  level, these would block roadways and sidewalks and would require pruning
  unnatural to the state of a coniferous tree. There is an emphasis in current urban
  forestry initiatives to consider coniferous species- the key is to find areas where
  those trees are most appropriate (open space to plant them away from the road
  and pedestrian walkways).
  ▪  Councilmember Sherman asked if the tree inventory was done in the ROW only
  (not Town in total). It was confirmed the inventory was completed in the Town-
  owned ROW, not on State or County roads.
  ▪  A member of the public asked if butternut trees will be planted. Ms. Lipiew said
  she reviewed the environmental needs for butternut trees and they are not ideal for
  ROW areas. She stated the recommended tree species in DRG’s report are those
  that are appropriate for the ROW, even if not native tree species. Jim agreed.
  ▪  A member of the public inquired as to how data was collected in the field. Jim
  explained that all data is collected in the field using a tablet and then is uploaded
  to a cloud-based system.
  ▪  Councilmember Robertson stated the Town’s tree grant was $75,000 for grant. He
  then asked Chairperson Amadon if that was correct, and he confirmed that.
  Chairperson Amadon and Ms. Lipiew said more grants could be applied for if
  deemed necessary.
  ▪  Jim Jenkins discussed the trunk formula, which a consulting arborist can use to
  quantify the appraised value of a tree. The value is discounted/adjusted based on
  the tree’s location, setting, species, existing pests or disease, and other
  limitations.
  ▪  Mr. Wyeth asked who was responsible for maintaining trees in the ROW.
  Councilperson Robertson stated that any Town-owned land is the responsibility of
  the Town, including trees, but work may need to be subcontracted out depending
  on the issue (including trees damaged from storms, trees endangering utilities,
  etc.). He stated that the Town’s goal is to maintain any tree unless it’s damaged
  beyond repair or not sustainable long-term.

  o In addition, a presentation and discussion on local soils, and tree care will occur at the
  Town of West Seneca Environmental Commission meeting scheduled for November 19,
  2026, at 6:30 PM in the large conference room at the community center.
  o
  ▪ Ms. Lipiew asked Chairperson Amadon who will be giving the presentations at the
  November commission meeting. Chairperson Amadon said he would need to
  follow up.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Vice Chairperson Szablewski, seconded by Ms. Lakomski, to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 PM.
  •  Ayes: All  Noes: None  Abstain: None  Motion: Passed